Most importantly, as a majority of attempted suicides are reported to the authorities to be accidental, so the necessary emotional and mental health support is not available to those who have attempted suicide. With decriminalization, the patients and their families will be in a better position to openly seek mental health care after the attempt.

A 40-year-old male, clerk, from middle socioeconomic status suffered from a depressive illness and tried to commit suicide by consuming the insecticide, but family members found out and took him to a nearby hospital immediately. The hospital refused to admit him due to fear of legal hassles associated with attempted suicide; finally the family members took him to another hospital and had to report the case as accidental overdose in order to avoid further delay. From a legal perspective, what happens to this person in case his life is saved? He is, then, prosecuted for a criminal offence under section 309 IPC!

Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) clearly states as follows: “Whoever attempts to commit suicide and does any act towards the commission of such offence, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or both.”